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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-06-23Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] FM - TURKEY - CYPRUS PROBLEMForeign Minister Marcos Kyprianou has described as unfair and misleading the statement by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan claiming that the Greek Cypriot side puts obstacles in the process to solve the Cyprus problem. Invited to comment on Erdogan statement after a lunch hosted by the Czech Embassy in Cyprus for the Ambassadors of the EU member states in the presence of President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, Kyprianou said that it is both unfair and misleading.He expressed the belief that it is clear which side is constructive, who is submitting proposals that serve the well-understood interest of both sides on the island, constructive proposals which are in compliance with the desired form of the solution, a bizonal, bicommunal federation, supported by the United Nations and the European Union. He noted that on the contrary, unfortunately, proposals submitted by the other side tend more towards a confederal solution resulting in causing even more discussions and time consuming procedures. Kypianou said that our EU partners know these things, so Erdogan can make as many remarks and speeches as he wants, adding that our partners are informed, they know what the approaches of both sides are and will not give faith to such a form of propaganda. We expected Ertogan to be more consistent with his statements that he supports the process to solve the Cyprus problem, he noted. Asked about the visit of the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to Cyprus tomorrow and whether the common lunch with the leaders of the two communities has been settled, Foreign Minister said that the lunch was included in the program of the visit. Barring the unexpected, this lunch will take place, he said. Replying to a question as to the reasons of Barroso visit, Kyprianou said that Barroso is coming to Cyprus, firstly, visiting an EU member state, saying that we have European issues to discuss. Secondly, he added, he is visiting the island as Head of the Monitoring Group for Cyprus of the European Commission, led by him, after our request. He added that the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat and discussion on Cyprus would take place in this framework. Asked whether there is a possibility the announcement of the opening of Limnitis crossing point to coincide with Barroso visit, Kyprianou said that everything depends on how constructive the other side will be . As you know, every time it makes out new arguments and new demands which complicate the opening of the crossing point», the Minister said. For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis, on the northwest, have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the islands northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people. Cyprus President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974. [02] UAE - FM - CYPRUS - VISITCyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou held a meeting Tuesday with his counterpart from the United Arabic Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nayan. Kyprianou told the Press that the meeting he had with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nayan was constructive and friendly. He made special reference to the important role the UAE played in the reconstruction of the economy of the island after the Turkish invasion in 1974 and the subsequent collapse of the Cypriot economy, giving many Cypriots entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate their businesses in the UAE and with their income contributed to the rebuilding of the economy of Cyprus. Business and political relations have developed ever since, he added.Cypriot FM stressed that Cyprus opened recently an embassy in Abu Dhabi and he expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Al Nayan for the quick response to the opening of the embassy, which is a demonstration of the excellent level of the relations between the two countries. As he added, they discussed various issues of common interest, bilateral relations and the relations of EU and the Gulf countries. There is still room for improvement and we can expand the relations between the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the European Union (EU) countries. They also discussed regional issues and Kyprianou informed Sheikh Al Nayan about the recent developments in the ongoing negotiations for the solution of Cyprus problem. In his remarks, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nayan expressed the belief that bilater relations can be further enhanced and expressed hope that soon you will see more UAE investments coming here. He also expressed hope Cyprus and UAE will reach agreements about avoiding double taxation and protecting investments as we spoke today and I think we are getting there, he said. The conclusion of such agreements will encourage more investments in Cyprus. [03] EU - CoR - TURKEYEuropean Unions Committee of the Regions (CoR) in an opinion on the bloc`s enlargement strategy, points out that the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question based on UN Security Council resolutions and on the principles on which the European Union is founded is a condition for Turkey`s EU accession. The CoR`s opinion on the enlargement strategy for all the candidate countries was drafted by Jasmina Vidmar, Member of Maribor City Council and Secretary-General of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia and was adopted during CoRs bimonthly plenary session on 17-18 June.Regarding Turkey, the CoR says it expects effective political and constitutional reforms that will draw the country closer to international and European standards, and notes that progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime has been rather limited. Furthermore, the CoR deplores that EU standards on cultural and religious diversity, respect and protection of minorities as well as the equality of women in the practical reality of political life have not been met entirely and that appropriate legal and practical steps have still to be taken. Regarding the role of local and regional authorities the CoR welcomes that the financial capacities of the municipalities have been enhanced recently but believes also that towns and cities must be empowered to operate more effectively as platforms for public involvement in local government decision taking. Turkey, an aspiring EU member, has yet to recognise the Republic of Cyprus or normalise its relations with this EU member state, where it maintains nearly 40,000 occupation troops since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Ankara, in spite of repeated calls, has refused to open its ports and airports to Cypriot flagged vessels and aircraft. [04] AGRICULTURE MINISTER - EU COUNCILMinister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Michalis Polynikis has represented Cyprus at the two- day Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the EU, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, in Luxembourg. The determination of the intermediate disadvantaged areas of the Community, the quality of agricultural products, the future of the Common Agricultural Policy as well as the issues of safeguarding the observance of the rules of the fishery policy were the main issues of the Meeting.Cypriot Minister supported the draft of the conclusions regarding the determination of the intermediate disadvantaged areas, noting that the predetermination of the intermediate disadvantaged areas will improve the guidance of the support to the sustainable land management and reduce the risk of farmers to abandon it. During the discussion regarding agricultural product quality, Polynikis agreed with the draft of conclusions presented by the Czech presidency. However, he asked the European Commission at the assumption of legislative initiative to take into account the concerns of Cyprus in respect to the possibility to create an additional burden both for the services, which will be called to implement the relevant regulations, and producers themselves. In the fishery field, 27 Ministers had the opportunity to express their views on the conclusions of the Council on Sustainable Development of the Community water farming. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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